Beyond the Bindu – Stitching Dreams into Reality for New York Fashion Week
By Srajal Deolia
I wasn’t in New York, but a part of me was. Somewhere between the runway lights and the electric energy of Fashion Week, a piece of me—stitched with effort, emotion, and belief—took its place on a global stage.
Being part of a ten-member team from college chosen to design for New York Fashion Week still feels surreal to say out loud. The garment may have been the final product, but the journey behind it shaped me in ways I never imagined.
It started like any other college project—except it wasn’t. When we were selected to represent our institute at NYFW, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was all in.
Our team of ten took charge of everything—concept development, material sourcing, designing, and crafting. I also took on the role of team representative during Zoom meetings. Speaking on behalf of everyone was intimidating at first, but over time, I grew into the role with quiet confidence.
We drew inspiration from the iconic painting Bindu by S.H. Raza. The artwork represents the seed of all creation—a powerful symbol of energy. We expanded on this idea, conceptualizing our garment around the belief that energy isn’t created, but transferred. That single thought became the soul of our design.
We created a tube top, a mini skirt, and an oversized, knee-length coat—each piece reflecting the expansion of energy from the Bindu outward. The coat, in particular, was striking: made from hundreds of upcycled plastic straws arranged into tessellated hexagons forming concentric circles, it echoed the radiating energy of the painting.
But it wasn’t just about aesthetics. We were required to incorporate used materials, and this was our way of turning discarded plastic into wearable art. It was our quiet nod to sustainability—action over noise.
We poured our hearts into our initial designs and felt confident during the first presentation. So, when we were told our design wasn’t selected and that we’d need to start over—it felt like a punch to the gut.
I remember staring at our sketches, numb. We had to rethink everything under a tight deadline. But that’s when something inside me shifted. Instead of drowning in disappointment, I clung to a belief I still carry:
Every rejection is redirection. Everything happens in divine timing.
We restarted the brainstorming, sourcing, and designing process with renewed focus. With the guidance of our mentors and faculty, we refined our vision—and this time, it clicked.
Creating something from scratch is gloriously messy. It involves doubt, glue burns, stubbed fingers, and far too much caffeine. We stayed up late forming hexagons out of straws, laughing over little things to stay awake and sane. It was chaotic—but it was ours.
What truly made it special was the people. Our team dynamic was warm and collaborative. We all had our quirks, but we trusted one another—and that made all the difference.
The final garment stood tall—shimmering, structured, and full of soul. Watching it come together piece by piece was like witnessing a vision take form.
When we packed it up and shipped it, I didn’t expect to feel emotional—but I did. It felt like sending a part of ourselves out into the world. Letting go of something we had nurtured from concept to creation was surprisingly hard—but also incredibly fulfilling.
That coat—made of plastic straws and late-night emotions—moved down the runway like it belonged there. And in that moment, I realized:
I don’t have to wait for my dreams to come true. I’m already living them.
This wasn’t just a fashion show. It was the universe’s way of telling me that the things I once thought were too far away are, in fact, within reach.
To the world, this might look like just a student design project that made it to the runway. But to me, it meant everything. It taught me:
Fashion is no longer just my passion. It’s my purpose. And this experience proved that with direction, discipline, and a touch of divine timing—nothing is out of reach.
I may not have walked the runway, but my work did. And if our garment could speak, I believe it would say:
“You believed in the dream—and that was enough to make it real.”
This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support, belief, and dedication of those around me.
A heartfelt thank you to NIF Global Raipur for giving us this incredible platform and trusting us with a project of such magnitude. I’m deeply grateful to our faculty members, mentors, and guides—your insights, encouragement, and gentle nudges kept us going, especially when things felt overwhelming.
To my amazing team—thank you for being the kind of creative collaborators every designer dreams of. This garment holds all our energy, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share this journey with.
And thank you to everyone who stood by us, believed in us, and helped stitch this dream into reality.
